SportsNation Blog Archives Kevin Kolb

We've been focusing an awful lot on the quarterback battle going on in the southern part of New York, but there's one in the western part that you should pay attention to as well. Kevin Kolb and EJ Manuel are competing for the Bills' starting job, and while Kolb has the edge in experience, Manuel played the entire first half in Sunday's preseason matchup against the Colts, going 16-of-21 with 107 yards and a touchdown. The Bills have struggled to find a steady quarterback over the past decade, so the choice between Kolb and Manuel could have huge ramifications for their futures, to say nothing of how many wins they can eke out in the suddenly vulnerable AFC East.

Kolb or Manuel?

Manuel showed an ability to keep up the momentum on a scoring drive, going 9-of-9 on a 95-yard tear at the end of the first half.

Matt Elmore: "Manuel seemed to be a little nervous early on, locking in on a few receivers and underthrowing a receiver on what should've been a first down, but he settled in nicely and excelled in uptempo situations. Most importantly, as with Luck last year, Manuel just looks like a prototype NFL QB with the way he moves around in the pocket, his release and his poise under center."

Louis Urbancic: "Most of it was against the second team defense. Against the first team, he was 4/7 for 15 yards, on a separate drop back, he had a rush for 24 yards and one fumble on the handoff exchange."

Chad Gullett: "EJ Manuel is a bust. When he was playing the 1st team for the Colts he had no clue what to do. FSU doesn't make great NFL players."

Rex Allen: "16-21 for only 107 yards? Not good. Also this doesn't tell the whole story. Jeff Tuel played the whole second half and finished 19 of 23 for 212 yards and had 2 TD."

Ammon E. Austin: "I like a lot of what Ive seen of EJ. He's a physical specimen and has all the mental intangibles to be good, maybe not great but good. Wouldn't be surprised if he developed into long-time starter."

EJ Manuel's praise of the Bills' offense would normally be blessedly uncontroversial. Rookie quarterback thinks new team's system is peachy keen? Not really news. Manuel's specific words, however, are interesting -- he called the offense easier to learn than the one he ran at Florida State. College offenses have been rivaling pro offenses for complexity as of late, and a simple offense isn't necessarily a bad thing, but given the Bills' offensive woes over the past few years, ''simple'' doesn't sound like a compelling solution.

jerjabs: "In the early 90's when the Cowboys were killing everyone including the Bills in two Superbowls, the Dallas offensive system was VERY simple. Teams knew what they were going to do...they just couldn't stop it."

megametfan13: "Is this a compliment to FSU or an insult to the Bills?"

mvalvo90: "of course their playbook was simple, 3 runs and a punt."

wvsmc2003: "Rookies need to learn not to talk. Nothing good can come from being overconfident. It's one thing to read a playbook sitting in your lap. It's another thing to put that playbook into action when a 350 pound all muscle defensive end breaks through the Bills pathetic OLine and makes a beeline straight for you. "

Kevin Kolb never really jelled with the Arizona Cardinals -- he only started 14 games in two years with the team due to a combination of injury and ineffectiveness. The Buffalo Bills are counting on his struggles being mostly the Cardinals' fault, however, as they agreed to a two-year deal with Kolb worth a maximum of $13 million. There's no guarantee that Kolb is the answer for Buffalo, but is he their best option to start?

AI2077: "I think Kolb makes them a little better......I think they finish ahead of the Jets in the standings."

Oilpress: "This is the exact type of move that 6-8 win teams make again and again."

JDubs860: "I'll say this about Kolb, he never got a fair chance in arizona. I don't think I've ever seen such a mess of an O-line in my life. I remember one game I watched him he got hit over and over was bleeding from the mouth and nose and still lined right back up. Even if he never makes it I respect the dude for hanging in there with all those hits."

rconn5: "Jim Kelly could probably came out of retirement and start for this team."

mobywvu: "this guy's gotten a lot of cash for basically having a few good games as an Eagle."

Rashu014: "This is not that big of a deal. It's a performance, incentive based contract. Low cost, sensible move. No one is claiming the bills solved all their issues or have their qb of the future. But now they won't have to reach for a qb in the first round if they don't want to."

On Friday, ESPN's "First Take" debated whether the Jets should sign Kevin Kolb. The team is reportedly interested in the former Arizona quarterback, who the Cardinals released Friday. Herm Edwards thinks it's time for a change in New York, while Stephen A. Smith thinks that Kolb could excel behind an offensive line that's not a complete disaster. Skip Bayless thinks that, despite the Jets apparently creating a logjam at quarterback, Kolb would be the best fit. What's your take?

The Cardinals are counting on Kevin Kolb to be their franchise QB, but he turned in another mediocre performance in a loss against the Titans. Should Arizona count on backup John Skelton instead?

SFC_12thMan: "Kolb (IMO) is ruined as an NFL QB...he's got "The Fear" in him now. You see it every time he drops back and the defense starts closing in."

AZKardinal2011: "The bright side to last nght's game is that once Whiz moved the offense to a 3 and 4 WR set and went to a quick pace they were moving the ball. Actually moved it pretty easily even against number 1's."

EDTGO: "I love it cuz instead of Whiz getting closer to making the decision on who the starter will be, it only made it worse. As instead of Skelton separating himself from Kolb, he actually took steps back and put himself in Kolb territory. So they are back at square one. With Whiz no closer to seeing who is the best one."

Halos Rams Fan: "I think Kolb would be better with some pass protection as he is more accurate. Its a toss up as to who does the most bone headed stuff with the football when the line gives and the play breaks down. Skelton can take the beating through the regular season...I dont think Kolb can."

Pete Reggio: "So, basically, both QBs were awful and neither drew away from the other. Classic."